Distributed networks for auditory memory differentially contribute to recall precision

Re-directing attention to objects in working memory can enhance their representational fidelity. However, how this attentional enhancement of memory representations is implemented across distinct, sensory and cognitive control brain network is unspecified. The present fMRI experiment leverages psychophysical modelling and multivariate auditory-pattern decoding as behavioral and neural proxies of mnemonic fidelity. Listeners performed an auditory syllable pitch-discrimination task and received retro-active cues to selectively attend to a to-be-probed syllable in memory. Accompanied by increased neural activation in fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular networks, valid retro-cues yielded faster and more perceptually sensitive responses in recalling acoustic detail of memorized syllables. Information about the cued auditory object was decodable from hemodynamic response patterns in superior temporal sulcus (STS), fronto-parietal, and sensorimotor regions. However, among these regions retaining auditory memory objects, neural fidelity in the left STS and its enhancement through attention to-memory best predicted individuals' gain in auditory memory recall precision. Our results demonstrate how functionally discrete brain regions differentially contribute to the attentional enhancement of memory representations.

Automated summary

Redirecting attention to objects in working memory can enhance their representational fidelity. This fMRI study found that valid retro-cues increased neural activation in fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular networks, resulting in faster and more sensitive recall of acoustic details of memorized syllables. The cued auditory object was decodable from superior temporal sulcus, fronto-parietal, and sensorimotor regions. The neural fidelity in the left superior temporal sulcus and its enhancement through attention to-memory best predicted individuals' gain in auditory memory recall precision.